Aristocort

Aristocort is used for:

Treating a variety of medical conditions, including but not limited to, insufficiency of the adrenal cortex, inflammatory disorders, allergic disorders, and connective tissue disorders. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Aristocort is a corticosteroid. It works by reducing inflammation and modifying the body's immune system.

Do NOT use Aristocort if:

you are allergic to any ingredient in Aristocort

you have a fungal infection

you are taking mifepristone

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Aristocort:

Some medical conditions may interact with Aristocort. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

if you have or have been recently exposed to a bacterial, fungal, parasitic, ameba, or viral infection, especially measles, chickenpox, shingles, tuberculosis (TB), or herpes simplex of the eye

if you have been recently vaccinated, or have had a positive TB skin test

if you have a blood coagulation disorder, heart problems, diabetes mellitus, kidney problems, liver disease, an underactive thyroid, unstable joints, or osteoporosis, fractures, or have had a recent heart attack or joint surgery

you have unstable emotions, depression, or myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness)

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aristocort. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

Clarithromycin, oral contraceptives (birth control pills), or itraconazole because the risk of side effects, such as nervous system or adrenal gland problems, may be increased

Aspirin, mifepristone or ritodrine because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Aristocort

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aristocort may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Aristocort:

Use Aristocort as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

Take Aristocort by mouth with food.

To reduce side effects, take Aristocort around 8 a.m. in the morning.

If you miss a dose of Aristocort, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aristocort.

Important safety information:

Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aristocort before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Aristocort. Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.

Aristocort may lower the ability of your body to fight infection, especially if you use it for a long period of time. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. If you are exposed to chickenpox, measles, or TB while you are taking Aristocort or during the 12 months after stopping Aristocort, call your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have an injury or notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills for up to 12 months after you stop using Aristocort.

Lab tests, including body weight, blood sugar and potassium, or chest x-ray, may be performed while you use Aristocort. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Corticosteroids may affect growth rate in CHILDREN and teenagers in some cases. They may need regular growth checks while they take Aristocort.

Aristocort should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aristocort while you are pregnant. It is not known if Aristocort is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aristocort.

If you are on long-term therapy, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms (eg, muscle and joint pain, exhaustion, depression) if you suddenly stop taking Aristocort. Do not stop taking Aristocort suddenly or change the dosage without asking your pharmacist or doctor.

Possible side effects of Aristocort:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Store Aristocort at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aristocort out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

If you have any questions about Aristocort, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Aristocort is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aristocort. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Disclaimer: This information should not be used to decide whether or not to take this medicine or any other medicine. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition. This is only a brief summary of general information about this medicine. It does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to this medicine. This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must talk with your healthcare provider for complete information about the risks and benefits of using this medicine.

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